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Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Apolemichthys trimaculatus
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–60.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threespot angelfish is an angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a bright-yellow body with a blue lip margin and a dark blotch on the forehead; sometimes there are also blotches high on the flank. It inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs near coral. It feeds mainly on sponges and tunicates, supplemented with algae. Like other angelfishes it bears a spine on the gill cover, but it is not venomous. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Bright yellow with a blue lip margin and a dark forehead blotch; sponge feeder with a non-venomous opercular spine.

Where does the Angelfish live?

The Angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs.

How big does the Angelfish get?

The Angelfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Angelfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Angelfish edible?

The Angelfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) — Pomacanthidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — eric (CC BY 3.0)
Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) R Lai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) — Pomacanthidae — 5
Curtis Hart (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Apolemichthys trimaculatus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Flagfish; Three spot angel; Three spot angelfish; Threespot angelfish; Three-spot angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly sponges and tunicates, supplemented with algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bright yellow with a blue lip margin and a dark forehead blotch; sponge feeder with a non-venomous opercular spine. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Apolemichthys

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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